On Wednesday afternoon, September 2, Monticello Raceway hosted the the New York County Fair Finals. Each of the eight divisions raced for a purse of $10,000. Also on the card was the Racing Under Saddle - New York Fair Series Championship, which was a non-wagering event that was conducted between the sixth and seventh races.
It was an afternoon of doubles and triples as Jimmy Devaux and James Taggart Jr. each had three driving wins. Bruce Aldrich and Truman Gale had two wins a piece, and the combination of trainer David Dewhurst and owner Phillip Hale accounted for another two win pictures.
In the two-year-old filly trot fair final, Lindas Choice, part of the David Dewhurst entry, started the day off with a win in 2:05.3 for driver Jim Devaux. It was the first trip of the day to the winner's circle for owner Phillip Hale. The daughter of Conway Hall–Howards Sister scored for her sixth seasonal win in 12 starts.
Niche Blue Chip, a daughter of Art Major–PW Spare, scored a wire-to-wire win in the two-year-old filly pace for driver Gregory Merton and trainer Mihajlo Zdjelar Jr. Niche Blue Chip skipped away from the field to win by five lengths and took a new lifetime mark of 2:00 in the process. She is owned by Elizabeth and Dyce Spalluto, Veronica Dylo, and David Widzinski.
Three-year-old trotting filly Hollywood Jess put David Dewhurst and Phillip Hale in the winner's circle for the second time this afternoon. The Conway Hall–Howards Sister lass made it look easy as she extended her lead by every step to win by 12 in 2:00:3 for driver Truman Gale.
Maya Scape benefitted from the rough overland route that the heavy favourite, Kruella, was forced to take in the three-year-old filly pace and was able to prevail in 1:57.3 for trainer/driver Henry Westbrook III. The Kenneth J-A B Seascape filly is owned by Laurier Sauve.
The "glamour boy" division was just that as Adonis Bay scored an impressive win in the fastest mile of the afternoon. The If I Can Dream-Kiss Me Im Lucky gelding took a new lifetime mark of 1:55.4 with Jimmy Devaux driving for owner/trainer Harold Smith.
In the two-year-old colt trot, Trooper Jim, driven by Bruce Aldrich, showed the way every step of the mile to win in 2:04.2. The homebred son of Conway Hall-Alpine Girl is owned by trainer Barry White and Heather White.
It was a good strategy move for Truman Gale to leave fast from the six-hole with 6-5 favourite Americanation in the two-year-old colt pace, as the field was in disarray after three horses got tangled up in the first turn. The American Ideal–Cool World colt easily dispatched his opponents, drawing clear by eight length at the wire in 2:00 for trainer Jeff Johnson Jr. and owner Pine Hill Stables.
The even-money favourite in the three-year-old colt trot, J A T O was content to bid his time and sit in the pocket behind Royalty Rates until just before the three-quarters pole. Driver Doug Ackley tipped the son of Big Apple Deli-Highwaytoheaven to the outside and it was smooth sailing from there as he won handily by six lengths in 2:00.4 (:29.4 final quarter) for trainer Margaret Butler and co-owner Amy Butler.
The RUS event was one of the most competitive races of the afternoon. Five horses went to post for the $2,500 non-wagering race.
Iron Will made a break in the middle of the paddock turn before the start and was out of contention early. My Friend Charlie and rider Andrea Pratt, starting from post position three, went right to the lead and took the field past the first stanza in :31.3. They had six lengths on the field and the margin remained the same at the half in 1:03.4. By this point, Iron Will, who broke at the start, made up about 20 lengths and was ranging into contention at the three-quarter pole, parked first over, passing that station in 1:36.1. At the top of the stretch, Iron Will did gain a slight advantage over My Friend Charlie, but the suburb recovery faltered as he made a break in the middle of the stretch. My Friend Charlie won in 2:09.2, almost rewriting the record books for the one mile event.
When reached later, Andrea Pratt was still riding the wave of excitement after winning her first RUS event.
“The track was fast and in very good condition,” remarked Pratt, who is also the trainer of My Friend Charlie. “I thought it was a fairly open race and it worked out well for me as I had a good trip. He is a big, strong horse."
During the afternoon of racing, a BBQ was held adjacent to the paddock, hosted by Monticello Raceway, The Agricultural and NYS Horse Breeding Development Fund and the Monticello Harness Horseman Association.
(With files from Monticello Raceway)